After two periods here at the X, Irondale now leads 3-0 over Lakeville North in the girls Class 2A state hockey tournament.

Gina McDonald made it a 3-0 game. She danced around two Panthers defenders and the goalie before pulling the string in front of the crease and popping the puck into the back of the net with her backhand.

North continues to get good chances but just can't convert. It leads the shot count 18-10.

After Knights defenseman Lindsey Kueng took a cross-checking penalty with 8:38 to play in the period (a play the Irondale student section loudly applauded, thus ending any chance at a sportsmanship banner) Lakeville North coach Buck Kochevar elected to use the Panthers' one and only timeout. It didn't pan out too well; North only managed three shots on goal with the player advantage.

Seventeen minutes to go. I still haven't seen more than one team score in any given game this week.